On October 15, 2012, the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour signedthe Mutual Recognition Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Israel for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (Telecommunications Agreement).

The Telecommunications Agreement streamlines the conformity assessment process by permitting recognized U.S. laboratories to test telecommunications products for conformity with Israeli technical requirements, and vice versa.

The Agreement also provides that, in the future, the U.S. and Israel can agree to the mutual acceptance of equipment certifications by recognized conformity assessment bodies in the United States and Israel. The Agreement is expected to save manufacturers the time and expense of additional product testing and certification, which is expected to lower prices for consumers and boost exports.

The Agreement covers equipment subject to telecommunications regulation, including wire and wireless equipment, and terrestrial and satellite equipment. The Agreement fully preserves the authority of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine the technical requirements it considers appropriate, and in no way lowers current U.S. safety requirements.

The Agreement will enter into force after both the United States and Israel have completed all internal legal requirements.